WAM Abu Dhabi, 15th May 2012 (WAM): Over 3,500 attendees are gathering in Abu Dhabi at the Cards '&' Payments Show Middle East 2012, which opened its doors today to thousands of leading figures from the region's biggest stakeholders in the cards and payments industries.

Dr. Ali Al Khouri, Director General of Emirates Identity Authority, the official government partner of the show, welcomed delegates this morning and highlighted the importance of developing and integrating electronic government and identity services, saying: "We look forward to hearing about the latest solutions and technologies from leading experts and specialists and evaluating how they can be effectively used to upgrade government services to keep pace with the global competitiveness and abreast of the developments of the digital world we live in and contribute to a knowledge-based economy." Top of today's agenda is the development of e-government services and digital governance, how e-identity can be merged with other industries, and innovative strategies in online and mobile payments and money transfers across retail, banking and telcos organisations.

Laurent Le Moal, Vice President and General Manager Continental Europe and Middle East '&' North Africa Region for global leader PayPal, called for a focus on the customer and innovation. She said: "This is time to focus outward, on the customer and on innovation. Merchants across this region need to get ready to service customers through contactless payment methods that are secure and trust worthy. The goal should be to leverage all existing payment connections and bring them to ecommerce and mobile strategy. When adopting mobile strategy, merchants should be aware that mobile is not just about payments, but includes more comprehensive solutions such as mobile commerce, promotion coupons, loyalty solutions, self-scanning and self-checkout provisions and so forth".

Now in its 13th year, Cards '&' Payments Middle East 2012 brings together professionals in banking, telecoms, retail and government organisations in one place to discuss the Middle East's paperless revolution in contactless payment solutions during the two day event taking place at ADNEC Abu Dhabi - 15th - 16th of May.

Over 120 exhibitors feature at the free- to -attend exhibition including the world's leading solution providers and smart card developers.

Cards and Payments Middle East provides a platform in the Middle East for the biggest stakeholders in the cards and payments, ecommerce and ID industries to explore ways to benefit from this rapidly growing market. In addition, the open forum provides fantastic networking opportunities for professionals across industries to identify solution providers and partners in the region." WAM/TF